System of inflation and apparatus for operating the same



/ Dec. 21 1943. M. LITAYLOR ETAL 2,337,426

SYSTEM OF INFLATION AND APPARATUS FOR OPERATING THE SAME Filed Jan. 19,1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 21, 1943. M. TAYLOR EI'AL 2,337,426

SYSTEM OF INFLATION AND APPARATUS FOR OPERATING THE SAME Filed Jan. 19,1940' 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 0 I +9 fla 26 Jnz/Ffvibzea 27 L flyzaaz'z ZrTay/UL 37 23 Eff/0E0 7 55555 ll-" ul l2; 2:,-

Fig. '7 15a section of the Patented Dec. 21,1943

UNITIED- STATE s PATENT omen 2. 31.4 6 SYSTEMOF INFLATION AND APPARATUS"FOB. OPERATING THE SAME Myron L. Taylor, Hudson, and Clifford T. Sears,Akron, Ohio, assignorsto TheB. F. Goodrich New Yorlr Application January1 11 Claims. (01.244-134) h a broken away, of the embodiment ofdistributor This. invention 1 relates toa system units such .asareuseful on wings, airfoils and CompanmNew York, N. Y acorporation of9,1940, Serial No. 314,620

of inflation other surfaces of aircraft forpreventing the accumulationof ice by intermittent inflation of the units.

It has been proposedheretofore to provide a plurality of inflatableunits extending along the leading edges of each wing of the aircraft andcorresponding units at opposite sides of the craft to inflate anddeflate such-units in alternation,,

being operated preferably together for balanced operation. 'However, thecontrol of such units for mechanism of Fig: 8.

Fig. 11 is ahorizontal section of further modiwfied distributormechanismsuitable for use. in the system of Fig. 8.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary vertical section of the distributor mechanismof Fig. 11, taken along the line I2--l2 of Fig. 11. v

Fig. 13 is a horizontal section of still further modified distributormechanism, suitable for use in the'systemiof Fig.8.

w .With-reference first to the embodiment of Figs.

their several operations in alternation-and in cycles has been eflectedheretofore 'by a, single distributor mechanism for the whole system.

1 to '1, theinvention is illustrated as applied to an airplane having afuselage 20 and a port wing This has required extensive piping from thesingle distributor mechanism to the several units. which extensivepiping has had the disadvantage of adding considerable weight to theaircraft and occupying precious space, asjwell as increasing thecomplexity of mechanism.

The chief objects of this invention are to simplify the piping andmechanism and to this end,

to provide distributor means suitable for location at each inflatableunit so that a common supply line for the'units can be utilized. Aconsiderable reduction in the amount of piping is thus made possible andeach distributor may be-of relatively small size as comparedwith thesingle distributor heretofore proposed for all the units.

A further object of the invention is to provide distributor mechanismoperated by the pressure of the inflation medium to the end that thepower mechanism may be further simplified.

These and further objects will be apparent from'the followingdescription, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig, 1 is'a perspective view of a distributor mechanismconstructed'according to and emsbodying the invention, electricalconnections being indicated diagrammatically.

2|, the latter carrying an inboard motor nacelle 22, an outboard motornacelle 23 and a landing light 24. An inflatable member extending fromthe. wing tip to the landing light24 is indicated at 25. Between thelanding light and the outboard motor nacelle 23 is mounted an inflatablemember 26. Between the two motor nacelles 23 and 22 is mounted aninflatable member 27 An inboard member 28 is mounted between the inboardnacelle and the fuselage. These members and their arrangement may be"duplicated for the wing at the other side of the aircraft. Inflatablemembers 29, 29 are mounted upon the horizontal stabilizersv of the tailgroup and an inflatable member 30 is mounted upon the verticalstabilizer.

Each inflatable member comprises one or more inflatable tubes,dep'endingupon the thickness of the wing or other airfoil section at the locationFig. 2 is a'vertical section of-the distributor taken at the distributorvalve.

Figs.'3, 4 and '5 are views likeFig. 2 on a reduced scale, parts being,however, broken away,

showing the valve in each of its several successive operating positions.

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic plan view of one side of an airplane showing asystem of inflatable units connected for operating in accordance withthe invention, the outlineof the airplane wing with motor nac'elles andpartof the fuselage being shown in broken lines.

airplane wing taken along the line 1-4 of Fig. 6. I

Fig. 8 is a view like Fig. 6 but showing modified distributingmechanismand timing system,

Fig. 9 is a section taken-along the line 9- -9- of FigLB. r

Fig. -10 is a horizontal section, with parts of the member. Forexample,the member 25 shown in cross section in Fig. '7 comprises fiveinflatable tubes 3|, 32, 33, 34 and 35 mounted within anelastic outercover of the member. The tubes'of each member are inflated preferably bygroups of the tubes in alternation. Tubes 3i, 33 and 35 may be operatedas a group and the tubes 32 and 34inay be operated as a group, eachgroup of tubes being regarded as an inflatable unit.

For supplying air underpressure to an the units a pressureflsupply lineP is provided, this line having connections 36, 36-with the pressureside of pumps 31, 37 which may be located in the motor nacelles to bedriven by the main motors of the aircraft. For'removing air from theinflatable unitsa suction lines extending to all the units is connectedat 38, 38 to the suction side of the pumps 31, 31.

At each of the four inflatable members of each wing and at the tailgroup is provided a distr'ibutor, these being indicated at V--l to V3,

for controlling the cyclic infiations and deflations of the inflatableunits.

Asthe distributors may be of identical construction only one need bedescribed, for example that of V-2 of Figs. 6 and 7. With referenceespecially to Figs. 1 to 5 the distributor comprises a casing 39,housing and valve-rotor ecasing hasports leading to connections andD-4for the two inflatableunitsoi the ifaiport for connection 8-2 to thesuction line 8, and a port for exhaust connection E to atmos- .phere.The ports for connections D-4 and D4 j are 120? apart, the porti'orexha'ust connection GE is 60 from each the flrst two ports and therotor ll, mounted upona shaft 43, is

oscillated{through 240 by means of a pinion l4 operatedbyarack mountedupon a rod l6, of a piston 41 man operating cylinder' l'lff The: 'pis-"ton l! is double acting, being reversed ateach end 1 0! its travel by areversing gear 4! which in turn 'is operated by limit 'pins ll, 50engaged by a, pin

Ii upon the rack 45. The reversing gear may be of any suitableconstruction, known. per se. The

piston "is operated by air under pressure from the pressure line Iconnected by a' branchpipe 1 (Fig. through the reversing gear 49 to bothends of the cylinder I by means of pipe connections I2, II. An exhaustconnection 0, open to the atmosphere permits venting of the air fromtheiront side of the piston upon its'movement. in' each direction. Z.

Whenthe main pumps'll are in operation the mechanism hereinbeforedescribed tends to oscillate the rotor 40 back and forthcontinuously.

'The frotor, however, is restrained in such movement by the plunger 54oiv a solenoid 55 engageable with stops or =detents a, b, c, and dextendn! radially'outward.irom=a disc Ii secured to the shaft of thevalve' rotor Ill. V Q Operation or the solenoid II is controlled by .anelectric timer T which may be centrally located in the aircraft and isconnected electrically with the solenoids of all the distributors. .Aswill.-

be seen from the diagram at the left of Pigs.- 1 6, the taps of thetimer are divided, intlie'torm shown, into four groups, each havingroar. taps having a common connection to the solenoid of a distributor.The distributor v s oi the tailgroup may lie-operated with the disftributor V} of the inboard inflatable member 28.- so'that the vtimed crtic of the system is in iourdiyisions. Upon contact of the timer armwith atap, t cplunger of the connected-solenoid i-swithdrawn momentarilyand the rotor isper-I mittedjtorotate for apart-revolution under thepower of the rack andpinion drive until the plunger engages the nextprojection of the discin'its path. Pourreleases and engagements oi theplunger with the stops a, b, c and d constitute an. operating cycle to:two inflatable units.

j flwith the parts in the position ot'Figsl and 2 the inflatable unitsare in a deflated condition ajmakesmomentary contact with the first tap51,--

' the cirouit is complete through thesolenoid" 55 .w embers 20, a portfor a pressure inlet connedtion P 2 connected to thepressure line P, and

,65 and suction is being applied-to both units through their connectionsand D-f-l with'thesuction. connection 8-2.. The piston 41- is about I toraise the plunger 84 and permit the'plunger to drop again when the timerarm is passed over the tap 51; In the meantime, however. the valve rotor40 has been put into movement counter .5 clockwise by movement of thepiston" and this movement continues through 120 until stopped byengagement of detent b with the plunger;

The valve rotor now occupies the p sitional. Fig. 3 wherein connectionof bothlinflatable units 10 has been closed to suction and connectionD-J has been opened to the pressure connection P-l to inflate one of theunits. Upon contact oi the timer arm with tap 58,.the solenoid is againenergized to raise the plunger permitting the rotor l5 40 to continueits counter clockwise rotation to the end oi'its 240 movement, whichcorresponds with movement of the' piston 41 to the left-hand end of thecylinder 48. The piston 41 may start onits return movement to the right,ge but clock-wise rotation of the valve rotor 40 is prevented by theengaging oi the plunger with thejdetent c, holding the rotor in theposition 0! Fig. 4. In this position the unit that has .Just beeninflated through the connection 13-! isnow open to exhaust connection Efor deflation of'the unit, and the unit of connection D-4 in open to-thepressure connection P-2 for inflaon. a Y Upon contact of, the timer armwith tap it the solenoid -is again energized to disengage the :35. 5. Inthis position-inflation pressureis cut of! toboth inflatable units anddeflation oi the sec- 0nd unit through its connection D-'-4 is permittedby exhaust through the connection E.

valve rotor back to the position of Figs; 1 and 2,

ready to startanother cycle of operation under control 01'- the timer.-During the interval bein the position of Fig. 2 wherein suction onbothinflatable'units is maintained to assure their complete deflation andprevent fluttering. In the 'cyclic'operationoithe inflatable units inaltema- 'tion' each unit undergoes three phases of operaphase toatmosphere, and a suction'phase. The .bulk'oi the inflation air in theunit is exhausted .before the suction line is connected so that there 5isno appreciable loss of suction, which is advantageous in case thesuction pump is used also for other purposes, such, for example, as tooperate instruments or other mechanisms. Referring nowto the embodiments01' Figs. 8. 9 and l0, the system and its operation are the same ashereinabove described for the flrst em- .bodiment. except thatalmodifled form of distributor-mechanism is utilized and the timerarrangement.is somewhat diflerent. In this em bodiment each inflatableunit has; its individualdistributor-mechan'ism, there being two suchdistributor mechanisms for each inflatable member havingntwo inflatableunits instead of One as in the flrst embodiment. Similar parts in thetwo embodiments are designated by common reference designations. I p

In the embodiment of Figs. 8 tom, eight distributor mechanisms 8| to"are provided for the eight inflatable units 01-; each wing and the tailroup has two distributor mechanisms "and II.-

Upon contact oi' the timer arm withthe fourth I tween inflation phasesthe valve rotor remains tion, that of inflation, followed by anexhausting operated as well as unit to suction and 1 P-2. As the contactis only momentary, the

assume As all the distributor mechanisms may be identical, only one, forexample 63, need be described. Referring to Fig. 10, the distributorshown is controlled by a solenoid II through a timer mechanism l2. Thedistributor 63 comprises a cylindrical casing in which is mounted avalve 13 that is reciprocated in the horizontal direction by means ofa'rod H con- 'sisting of an extension of the solenoid plunger.

A compression spring I urges the valve I3 to the right as viewed in Fig.10. At its-right-hand end the cylinder has a connection D--3 to theinfiatable unit. At one side of the casing is a port It! communicatingwith the. suction line S--2 through the restricted orifice 'l'l. Ifheport I3 may comprise a manifold passage about the casing, and in theposition of the parts shown in Fig. it is in communication with a circleof apertures 13a, 'llla'ln the valve 13, so that suction is applied tothe inflatable unit. At a position to the left of manifold port I6 is asecond manifold port 18 having a connection P-2 to the pressure line. Aby-pass line I9 permits venting other when it ismoved.

For the purpose of permitting a large bulk of Assuming now thatthetirner 1-2 has been put into operation, there being preferably atapped connection to each solenoid in turn, when the timer arm makesmomentary con act in passing over tap 02 the solenoid ii isenergized'and piston valve I3 is drawn to the left closing theinflatable opening, it to the pressure line solenoid is quicklytie-energized whereupon the spring 15. tends to urge the valve back tothe position shown. In this movement the piston is resisted by air underpressure in front of it and its return movement'is permitted only by aslow flow of air through, the by '-pass I9 and opens the exhaust unit inconnection with the exhaust valve 00 and the suction line S-2 'ashereinbefore described.

' Each inflatable unit has its own distributor and the solenoid of eachdistributor is connected elec tap on the timer, there being tricallywith its own shown forthe eight ten such taps in the form distributorsof each wing and two for the tail group.

The distributor of Figs. 11 and 12 performs the f same functions as thedistributor of Fig. '10 and thereof, but its construction may-be used inlieu A- cylinand operation are somewhat different.

' der 90 has opposed relatively movable pistons 9 l, 92. The piston IQIvalve 94 and piston 92 movement of a plunger act air from one. side ofthe piston valve to the .the air from the inflatable unitto exhaust tonection 13-3 to the one'piston controls. communication of theintermediate chamber I00 00, and valve 96 controls communication of theintermediate chamber with the suction chamber 08. A passage MI in thecylinder casing puts the through a passage I03 communicating with pres--sure chamber 98 through a passage I04 and flow through passage I03 iscontrolled by a valve I00 urged to closed position by a lightcompression spring I08. The valve I05 maybe operated by I01 of asolenoidI00 which may be connected tov a timer like that of Fig. 10. The suctioncha ber 38 has a spring pressed exhaust valve I00 which may have'theconstruction and operation ofthe valve 00 of Fig. 10.

Assuming the parts to be in the position shown in Figs. '11 and 12, theinrlatable unit is now-in communication with the suction line. momentaryenergizing of the solenoid I00 by the timing mechanism, valve I05 isopened momentarily permitting a flow from the pressure chamber 99 to thespaces behind thetwo pistons 9i and 92 causing them to be moved togethertoward the center or the chamber, while the air between them vents Thismovement opens through passage IOI. valve 94 and closes'valve 06, thusclosing the unit to suction and opening it to pressure for India-- tion.The air underpressure also flows slowly' through passage iIiI until thepressure between the pistons is sufllcient to augment the action of thespring 91 to urge the pistonsapart again, excess pressure at the ends ofthe pistons being permitted to leak to atmosphere through an opening ain common with both outer through the suctionline S--2.

Withreference now 7 13, two opposed-piston chambers H0 and ill haverespective pistons H2, H3, which are urged to ward'each other by springsIll and I I5. Piston II2 has its rod H6 secured to a valve ll!controlling communication of an intermediate chamber H0 leading to aunit connection D---% with a suctionchamber H8 having a suctionconnection S-2 and an exhaust valve III) like that of Figs. 10 and 11.Piston ii: a valve I2l controlling communication of chanc ber lit with apressure chamber I22 in communication with pressure connection P-2. Pas=sage 823' and I" are adapted to introduce air under pressure frompressure chamber i222 through passage I25 to the spaces behind pistonsH2 and H3 to urge them apart, this actionbeing controlled by a valve,I26 which is springhas a sleeve rod 95 secured ,z y-pass connections airbetweenthe spaces at pressed to closed position and is operated throughlevers i2'l, E28 by a plunger I29 of a solenoid I30. Ni and I32permitflow of the ends of pistons I52 and iii and the intermediate chamberI88.

In the position of the parts shown the unit is in connection withsuction. Upon-the momentary with the pressure chamber p n a.-

of air under pressure The first rush of air upon deflation opens exhaustvalve I09 to vent this air overboard and the remaining. air, iswithdrawn.

to the embodiment of Fig.

has its rod I2f0 secured to.

valve III to close suction val've H1 and open pressure valve-Iii forinflation of the unit. Such We claim! rality ,of'inflatable units, a forsaid units, outlet means .oi' distributor mechanisms *necit said supplyline and said outlet means in "distributor mechanisms, 4. A system ofinflation units comprising a; plurality of inflatable units, means forinflating s'aid unit's in alternation, said means cpmprising a pluralityof distributor mechanisms for the units' and connected thereto; therebeing a distributormfechanism individual to' each unit,means=forsupplying an inflation medium to said mechanis means common tosaid idistributofr mechanisms;

nisms, andtiming rneans 'tributor mechanisms. -'6;'Apparatus* as definedin claim "1 in which each distributor mechanism comprises valve airpressure through intermediate chamber I It also flows throughconnections l3l and I32 to the spaces at the ends of the pistons untilthe pressure there'is sufificient to augment the action of the springs Il4 and H5 to return the pistons to the positions shown, the excesspressure at the other-sides of the pistons being permitted to ventmugh'a bleeder I33 to permit this action. .Upon :returnlto the'positionshown the unit is closed to 1 re g id '1 again open to uction, exhaustvalve H l functioning in the manner hereinbefore described to vent thebulk of the air from the unit q -durihg'deflation.

Variations may be made without departing from the scope of the inventionas it is defined in the following claims:

'1. A system of inflation units comprising a pinpressure supply linetherefor,v a plurality for, the 'units to conalternatio'n' with theunits, there being a distributor mechanism individual to each unit, andtim- "ing means common to said distributor mechanisms for controllingthe operation of the dis- 4 2. A system'of inflation units comprising aplurality of inflatable units, a pressure upply line and 'a suction linetherefor, distributor mechanisms for the units to connect said supplyline and said suction line in alternation with the units,

a distributor mechanism being located at each unit, and timing meanscommon to the distributor mechanisms for'controlling the operation ofthe distributor mechanisms in alternation.

3. A system of inflation units comprising a plurality of inflatableunits, and means for inflitting said units in alternation; said meanscomprising {a plurality of distributor mechanisms for theimits' andconnected thereto, there being a distributor mechanism individual toeach unit, -"means for supplying an inflation medium to said i common tosaid I transferring connection and said inlet and exmechanisms, andtiming means and timing 5. A system of inflation units for aircraftcomtributor mechanisms of the units in alternation.

unit and exhaust and '7. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which eachdistributor mechanism comprises a valve member, means for moving thevalve member to pass air from the pressure connection into the unitto'start an inflation, and means'for utilizing air under pressure forreturning the valve member automatically to a position connecting theelement with the outlet connection.

8. A system of aircraft ice-removing inflation units comprising aplurality of inflatable units, means for inflating the units inalternation comprising a plurality'of .-'valves each individual to andhaving a connection with an inflatable unit and each having inlet andexhaust connections for .flow of inflation medium i'nto theunit andexhaust therefrom, means at each of said valves for operating the sameto connect the inflatable unit with said inlet and exhaust connectionsin rapid alternation, an inflation supply line to the inlet connectionsof said valves, and timing means common to the operating means of saidvalves.

I 9. A system of aircraft ice-removing inflation units comprising "aplurality of inflatable units, means for inflating the units inalternation comprising a plurality of valves each individual to andhaving a connection with anlinflatable unit and each having inlet,exhaust and suction connections for flow of. inflationmediu'm into thesuction therefrom, means at each of said valves foroperating the sametoconnect the inflatable unit with said inlet con nection in rapidalternation with said exhaust and suction connections, an inflationsupply line to the inlet connections of said valves, a suction line tothe suction connections of said valves, and timing means common to theoperating means of said valves.

10. A system of aircraft ice-removing inflation units comprising aplurality of inflation units, valve mechanisms individual to therespective inflatable units, and timing mechanism controlling operationof said valves, each said valve mechanism comprising a body having atransferring connection for an inflatable unit and inlet and exhaustconnections, poppet valves between said haust connections, and poppetvalves .to place means for moving. said said transferring connectionalternately in communication with said for connecting the same withanism. V 11. A system of aircraft ice-removing inflation said timingmechunits comprising a plurality of inflation units,

starboard airfoils' of the aircraft with a plu- 1 'rality ofsaid unitson each-of said airfoils, means for inflating units on one of saidairfoils in alternation onewith another and together with correspondingunits on the other of said airfoils, saidmeans' comprising a pluralityof distributor mechanisms for the units, a distributor mecha: nism beinglocated at each unit, means for conducting said; inflation mediumtel-said mecha- "common tosaid disincansmovable in oscillationstopo'sitions for opening the connections to the unit in'cyclic solenoidand electrical valve mechanisms individual tothe respective inflatableunits, and timing mechanism for-controlling operation of said valves,each said valve mechanism comprising a body having a transferringconnection for an' inflatable unit .and inlet, exhaust and suctionconnections, poppet valvesbetween said transferring connection and,respectively, said inlet connection and said exhaust and suctionconnections, and means for movingsaid poppet valves to place saidtransferring connection alternately in communication with saidinletconnection and with said exhaust and suction connections," said meansincluding a connections for connecting the same with said timingmechanism.

= MYRON L. TAYLOR.

CLIFFORD T. SEARS.

